The shouts of the crowd calling out for Shrek echoed throughout the entire Star Luo Square. The momentum was vast and overwhelming.
Those who had once served as substitutes in the previous Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament were still composed, but the faces of the substitute team members now all changed as they faced such a situation.
With hundreds of thousands of spectators watching, if Shrek Academy were to lose, it was unimaginable what kind of scene that would be.
Beibei couldn't help but lower his voice to ask Wang Yan:
"Teacher Wang, are we really only letting Tianhuang go up alone? If our seven substitute members went up together, and only Tianhuang made the move, it would be the same effect. This way we would also have more security. After all, this concerns the honor of our Shrek Academy."
"I have naturally considered that." Wang Yan sighed lightly.
"But Beibei, have you thought about this? The elimination matches are conducted in the form of team battles, and the opponents have seven people. Possessing area and long-range soul skills is inevitable. If you all were to go up, it is very likely you would be affected. By then, you would inevitably need to use your soul power and martial souls to avoid the attacks. If your cultivation levels were revealed, then not only would Tianhuang lose his deterrent effect, but it would also worsen the injuries of you, Sanshi, and Caitou. That would be extremely unfavorable for the upcoming round-robin matches."
"I carefully analyzed your abilities. According to my plan, the three of you, together with Tianhuang, will be the main force for the round-robin. Unlike the elimination stage, each group in the round-robin will contain two or three strong teams. As the champion of the last Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament, apart from not facing the runner-up, Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, any other academy could end up in the same group as us. The round-robin includes individual matches, team battles, and the two-two-three format. Which format is chosen is decided by random draw at the time. Relying on Tianhuang alone will definitely not be enough, and that is when your strength will be needed. So Beibei, Sanshi, Caitou—you absolutely cannot risk any accidents. By the time the round-robin starts, you must all be in your best condition."
"To put it bluntly, if this first elimination round requires you, Sanshi, and Caitou to act in order to secure victory, then even if we pass this round, we won't go very far in the following round-robin. In the end, believe in Tianhuang. His true strength is greater than you think."
Although Wang Yan said this firmly, in his heart he was also bearing enormous pressure. Whether Shrek Academy's undefeated legend could continue now depended on Yu Tianhuang's battle against Qianling Advanced Soul Master Academy.
What truly pushed him to make such a major decision, however, was the news he had learned earlier from Elder Xuan—that Yu Tianhuang's body martial soul had completed its Silver-rank second awakening.
As someone who had long studied martial souls, he knew very well the power of a body martial soul. A Silver-rank second awakening could elevate a soul master's strength by at least one major level.
Back during the Outer Court's core disciple selection, Yu Tianhuang had already directly defeated Beibei and Xu Sanshi, whose individual strength rivaled a Soul King's. Adding the Silver-rank second awakening of his body martial soul, he even possessed the strength to directly confront a Soul Emperor.
Hearing Wang Yan's words, Beibei did not say anything more. His expression remained heavy, but when he looked at Xu Zihuang's tall figure, he felt heartfelt admiration.
To bear the honor of Shrek Academy all alone—if it had been him, perhaps he would not have been able to be so calm and decisive.
The other substitute members thought much the same as Beibei.
Compared with the substitutes, the four main team members—Ma Xiaotao and the others—had solemn gazes.
Although they too felt worry in their hearts, since this choice had already been made, they would not question it again.
Moreover, Yu Tianhuang's performance when facing the Death God Envoy's corpse explosion had already, to a certain extent, revealed his strength.
At this moment, a composed, white-haired elder steadily descended onto the center of the arena.
The Star Luo Empire had gone to great lengths in preparation for this Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament. The specially built tournament stage at the foot of the imperial city walls was one hundred meters long and wide, and five meters high. It was constructed entirely of massive, solid granite.
Around the stage stood one hundred and eight giant metal pillars. These were not decorations, but defensive soul tools. When combined, these 108 defensive soul tools formed a massive soul tool barrier that completely enveloped the stage. This prevented soul skills from overflowing, damaging the imperial city and Star Luo Square, or accidentally injuring the spectators.
Behind each pillar stood a Soul King–level soul master. One hundred and eight Soul Kings working together maintained the protective barrier of the stage. The white-haired elder in the arena, serving as referee, was himself a Soul Sage–level powerhouse. To deploy one Soul Sage and one hundred and eight Soul Kings at once—it was impossible not to marvel at the grandeur of the Star Luo Empire.
It was even said that in the later semifinals and finals, Title Douluo–level powerhouses would appear as referees.
On the imperial city wall stood the Star Luo Empire's Chancellor, Xu Jiawei. His soul power–amplified voice once again spread across the entire square.
"Next, let us first welcome the participants from Qianling Advanced Soul Master Academy!"
Hearing this, Xu Zihuang instinctively paused his steps. He had originally thought both teams would enter together. But thinking it through, he could understand.
Of course the Star Luo Empire would give Shrek Academy enough stage presence, letting them enter as the finale.
Still, the area reserved for Shrek Academy was spacious enough. Xu Zihuang stepped forward a few steps without standing out too much.
As the amplified voice fell silent, the participating students of Qianling Advanced Soul Master Academy solemnly walked out from their section.
At the very front was a tall, stern-faced young man.
He was the captain of Qianling Academy, Shen Ce. His martial soul was the Thousand Strike Spear, and he was a Rank 53 Assault-type Battle Soul King. His aura was very similar to Chen Zifeng's when releasing his martial soul—his entire body radiated an extremely sharp presence.
However, their levels of mastery over their martial souls were clearly not the same. When Chen Zifeng was not using his martial soul, that sharp aura was hidden, whereas Shen Ce's very temperament seemed influenced by his martial soul.
Compared to the disciples of Shrek Academy's Inner Court, Shen Ce still had a notable gap. But that did not deny his strength.
He was already a rare genius of Qianling Academy. Without relying on potential-exhausting cultivation drugs, to reach the Soul King realm before the age of twenty meant he had the potential to one day challenge the realm of Title Douluo.
Shen Ce carried his pride, but even so, to encounter Shrek Academy in the very first elimination round weighed heavily on his heart.
On Shrek's side, sensing Shen Ce's aura, Dai Yaoheng glanced at Chen Zifeng beside him.
"He seems to be the same type of soul master as you."
Chen Zifeng nodded.
"He should also be a Tool Soul Master. Tool Soul Masters excel greatly in one aspect, but their weaknesses are also very clear. The key is whether Tianhuang can suppress his strongest aspect—or deny him the chance to use it."
As they spoke, the other six members of Qianling Academy also entered the stage.
On the stage, captain Shen Ce did not stand at the front, but in the center of his group.
Behind him were two delicate-looking young girls. They were easy to distinguish: the one on the left had blue hair and a cold expression on her face, very similar to Ling Luochen of Shrek's main team.
She was Qianling Academy's vice-captain and main control soul master, the Frost Bear Soul Master, An Lengye.
The other was a red-haired girl named Fei Yuyan. Her martial soul was the Blazing Tiger, also a control-type soul master. An Lengye and she, one ice and one fire, formed the Ice-Fire Dual Control.
At the very front stood four tall male students. These four came from the same sect and possessed a mid-high grade defensive martial soul known as the Lingxi Shield.
This was a powerful team, each member at least above the fortieth rank. An Lengye and Fei Yuyan's soul power levels were even above the forty-fifth rank.
"Now that the participating team members of Qianling Advanced Soul Master Academy have entered, let us all give the warmest applause to welcome the participants of the number one academy on the continent—Shrek Academy!" The Chancellor of the Star Luo Empire deliberately raised his voice with honor.
In truth, if it had not been Shrek Academy fighting in the very first round, with his status, he would never have personally presided over this.
The earlier introduction of Qianling Academy's students was merely incidental.
When Qianling Academy's team had entered, the spectators had been enthusiastic, but the vast majority were unfamiliar with them. After all, Qianling Academy was from the Dou Ling Empire, and now they were in the Star Luo Empire's home territory.
But when it came to Shrek Academy, the cheers and applause were unending, forming a stark contrast. The title of the number one academy on the continent had long resounded everywhere. The citizens of the Star Luo Empire might not know every advanced academy in their country, but every single one of them had heard the great name of Shrek.
The momentum was no less overwhelming than when Emperor Xu Jiawei had announced the tournament's commencement.
Yet next, the previously deafening Star Luo Square suddenly fell into dead silence, before bursting into waves of astonished exclamations.
Because, among the students representing Shrek Academy, only one person walked onto the stage.
It was a youth with an extraordinary aura. His smooth black mid-length hair flowed in the wind, streaked with several strands of purple. His exquisite and handsome face bore not the slightest flaw. His deep violet eyes carried an indescribable nobility, and his naturally lofty presence was as if he was born to stand above the clouds, overlooking all below.
Xu Zihuang's appearance was not decided on the spur of the moment. It was the result of the group's discussion the previous night. Since they had decided to send only him onto the stage, they might as well thoroughly display that arrogance that belonged to Shrek Academy.
"Damn, Tianhuang's acting skills are this good?" Xu Sanshi's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Why do I feel like he looks more like an emperor than that Star Luo Emperor just now?"
This time, even Beibei, who usually loved to bicker with Xu Sanshi, fell silent. Such a feeling was definitely not exclusive to Xu Sanshi alone.
Facing them from afar, the students of Qianling Academy reacted even more strongly.
What shocked them was not Xu Zihuang's peerless looks and aura, but rather—why was Shrek Academy only sending one person to compete?
Wasn't this supposed to be a seven-on-seven team battle?
"What is Shrek Academy trying to pull?! That guy?!" In the front row of the participant section, the arrogance in Xiao Hongchen's eyes instantly vanished, nearly driving him mad.
He had entered the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy not only because of his powerful strength and top talent, but also because of his sharp mind.
Yet at this moment, he simply could not understand Shrek Academy's intentions.
"This is the elimination round! Could it be that Shrek Academy isn't afraid of being knocked out in the very first match, turning themselves into a massive joke?!"
At the very front of the Sun Moon Academy's main team stood a burly young man. He was extremely tall, with cropped hair, eyes glowing brightly, his entire body radiating a frightening sense of strength.
He was Ma Rulong, captain of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy's main team, and also their strongest fighter on the surface.
Not only Ma Rulong, but also the other main and substitute members of Sun Moon Academy, even their instructors, all frowned as they turned their eyes toward Xu Zihuang.
The only one out of place was Meng Hongchen beside Xiao Hongchen. Her ice-blue eyes shimmered, her long lashes quivering slightly as mist gathered upon them.
Since childhood, with her identity, she had never lacked excellent admirers. But an opposite sex whose looks and aura so perfectly fit her aesthetics—Xu Zihuang was the very first.
Even Xu Jiawei wore an astonished expression before gesturing to the Chancellor at his side.
The Chancellor bowed respectfully and, understanding, stepped forward again atop the city wall, raising his voice:
"Shrek Academy representative, please note, this is a team battle, not an individual match."
Xu Zihuang did not raise his head to look at the Chancellor on the wall. Instead, he kept his indifferent gaze fixed on Shen Ce at the center of Qianling Academy's lineup, and said lightly:
"I know this is a team battle. What I mean is—I alone am enough to fight this team battle."
As soon as Xu Zihuang's words left his mouth, the emotions of the crowd, which had just begun to settle, were stirred up once more. The citizens watching from Star Luo Square erupted into discussions.
"One against seven? Impossible. Isn't Shrek afraid of losing? This youth doesn't even look fifteen yet."
"What are you thinking? There's no way Shrek would be eliminated in the first round. There must be a reason behind this."
"Or maybe they truly don't see Qianling Academy as worthy opponents at all."
"As expected of the number one academy on the continent!"
"…"
If another advanced academy had said such words, it would absolutely be dismissed as pure arrogance.
But Shrek Academy was different. Their reputation bore an immense burden and responsibility—but it was also their greatest weapon.
In an instant, public opinion tilted overwhelmingly in their favor.
Shen Ce and the others representing Qianling Academy heard the countless voices indirectly belittling their academy. Their expressions turned grim.
Yet as captain, Shen Ce did not feel excessive anger. Instead, a powerful battle intent surged in his heart.
Let me test just how strong your Shrek Academy really is.
On Shrek's side, Ma Xiaotao chuckled.
"This brat really does know how to act."
Xu Sanshi nodded in agreement, grumbling sourly:
"I really don't know what Tianhuang can't do. Ever since I met him, I've nearly lost all confidence."
Beibei caught the frequent glances from the Sun Moon Academy students and let a lazy smile appear on his face, rolling his eyes at Xu Sanshi.
"You say that as if you have something worth being confident about. If you had even one thing comparable to Tianhuang, Nan Nan wouldn't ignore you completely."
"You don't know a damn thing! That's because—" Xu Sanshi's face turned red as he argued back. But before he could finish, he was cut off by Jiang Nannan, her face flushed.
"Shut up!"
Frightened, Xu Sanshi shivered and quickly clamped his mouth shut.
Seeing Xu Sanshi acting like a scolded child, the others couldn't help but find it amusing, their tense emotions easing somewhat.
But to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy's team members, who frequently glanced toward Shrek, it was a very different picture.
"How arrogant, Shrek." Xiao Hongchen narrowed his eyes again, looking toward the arena.
"Let me see what your so-called confidence really is."
With Emperor Xu Jiawei's permission, the Chancellor nodded to the referee. Understanding, the referee gathered soul power and spoke in a deep voice:
"Both sides, retreat to the edges of the field. Listen for my command to begin the match. Before I announce the start, no one may release their martial soul early, or you will be immediately disqualified."
Both sides pulled back, and the referee, standing at the center, slowly raised his right hand. The packed Star Luo Square instantly fell silent.
Like Xiao Hongchen, all of them wanted to know—what gave Shrek Academy the confidence to fight one against seven?
In that instant, the gazes of hundreds of thousands of spectators all focused solely on Xu Zihuang.
"Begin!" the referee shouted.
Still in their initial formation, the students of Qianling Academy released their martial souls almost at the very moment the referee announced the start.
The four Lingxi Shield Soul Masters standing at the front erupted with dark yellow light. As their martial souls were released, their already robust bodies swelled with muscle, bulging as if about to burst. A dark yellow radiance spread across their skin.
The greatest change was in their right arms—their forearms seemed to writhe as if alive, sprouting shields of the same dark yellow color. The surfaces of these shields were layered with thick keratin, looking solid and unbreakable.
Each of the four shields reached a full meter in diameter, like walls of iron, blocking Shen Ce and the other two behind them.
An Lengye and Fei Yuyan both possessed Beast Martial Souls. Yet unlike ordinary Beast Soul Masters, their bodies did not undergo transformations. Instead, before them appeared an ice-blue Frost Bear and a fiery red tiger with black stripes.
But the one whose aura soared the most was captain Shen Ce.
Spreading his arms wide in a gesture of embrace, a dazzling silver radiance shone from behind him.
A twelve-foot-long double-headed spear of brilliant silver appeared within the light and dropped steadily into his right hand. From beneath his feet rose two yellow and three purple soul rings—five in total—slowly orbiting the Thousand Strike Spear.
As a Soul King–level powerhouse, Shen Ce's aura after releasing his martial soul was formidable. But even so, on this stage, he was still utterly suppressed by Xu Zihuang.
Purple!
Purple!
Purple!
Black!
Four soul rings, far beyond conventional understanding, appeared one after another around Xu Zihuang. With each one that appeared, the crowd's cries of astonishment grew louder.
A violent surge of soul power swept across the arena.
What shocked the onlookers was not Xu Zihuang's Soul Ancestor–level cultivation, but his bizarre soul ring configuration.
The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament had been held for tens of thousands of years, yet never had anyone's first soul ring been of the thousand-year level.
Even among the 108 Soul Kings maintaining the soul tool barrier, several were stunned for a moment, delaying the barrier's activation.
Xu Zihuang's golden eyes blazed, the strange and intricate patterns within his pupils glowing faintly.
Shen Ce was the first to recover, shouting loudly:
"He's only a Soul Ancestor! Don't lose your composure!"
Though even he felt a jolt of unease at Xu Zihuang's soul ring distribution.
"As expected of Shrek Academy, famed for producing monsters. But if you think a Soul Ancestor can face our complete team, then you're underestimating us too much!"
Though Shen Ce was first to recover, the first to attack was An Lengye.
Under her control, the Frost Bear strode forward. Both of her yellow soul rings lit up.
But as a control-type soul master, how could she possibly seize the initiative before Xu Zihuang?
A noble purple glow bloomed from Xu Zihuang's second soul ring. His eyes sharpened, and in the next instant, strange dark red ripples enveloped the entire field.
"Second Soul Skill: Mirror Shatter."
His calm voice sounded, and all seven students of Qianling Academy, Shen Ce included, were instantly encased in layers of heavy dark red crystal.
The angular crystals reflected dazzling light, like mirrored surfaces.
The previously silent scene was replicated once more.
A second kill?
The audience froze for a moment, then an earth-shattering roar of cheers exploded across the square.
"Shrek!"
"Shrek!"
Countless spectators were flushed with excitement, their emotions overflowing.
Here, Xu Zihuang completely embodied why Shrek was called the number one academy on the continent. A Soul Ancestor had, with one move, instantly incapacitated six Soul Ancestors of Qianling Academy—and even a Soul King.
How could this not set their blood boiling?
It took a full one or two seconds before Shen Ce managed to break free of the dark red crystal. The first three rings of his Thousand Strike Spear flashed one after another as he gripped it tightly, his expression grim.
The other who broke free was An Lengye. An icy blue glow shone from her smooth forehead, a strange fluctuation of soul power that many experienced soul masters in the audience instantly recognized.
Without doubt, she possessed a head soul bone. But even with the soul bone's power, she had still taken slightly longer than Shen Ce to break free.
As for the remaining five students of Qianling Academy, the dark red crystals showed no signs of breaking.
Xu Zihuang's second soul skill originated from the powerful innate ability of the Evil Demon Orca. Later, with the help of Tianmeng Iceworm's source power, it had been elevated to a five-thousand-year level.
At his current cultivation, unless an opponent's martial soul was especially strong or they had some unique method, soul masters of the same level could not possibly break free alone. An Lengye had only managed it by relying on her soul bone.
The reason Xu Zihuang's second soul skill hadn't seemed overly domineering before was simply that his past opponents had been far too powerful—Ten-thousand-year Man-Faced Demon Spiders, Xu Sanshi and Beibei with their awakened Bright Holy Dragon and Xuanwu bloodlines, and the disciples of Shrek's Inner Court.
But against relatively ordinary soul masters like those of Qianling Academy, Mirror Shatter's might was fully revealed.
Xu Zihuang's expression didn't change at all, as if he had done something trivial.
He casually brushed aside a strand of purple hair falling across his nose, his cool and noble gaze settling on Shen Ce.
"I'll give you one last chance. Use your strongest attack. I hope you don't disappoint me."
The Soul Kings maintaining the barrier had been a little slow, and the soul tool barrier had not yet fully enclosed the stage. The audience, too, had quieted somewhat after seeing Shen Ce and An Lengye break free.
At that moment, though Xu Zihuang's voice was not loud, it rang clearly in everyone's ears.
The words sounded arrogant, yet to the audience, they seemed only natural, stirring waves of excitement in their hearts.
Just witnessing this match today was worth the trip. Shrek was still Shrek, the insurmountable mountain for any advanced soul master or soul engineering academy.
On Shrek's side, even the Inner Court disciples were shocked by Xu Zihuang's display.
Wang Yan let out a relieved breath, his eyes full of satisfaction.
So Tianhuang had fully grasped his intention. Only this way could the deterrent effect of this battle be maximized.
Perhaps because of his frustration, Shen Ce was calmer now. He lifted his head toward his girlfriend An Lengye, who met his gaze with encouragement.
"I kind of regret not taking Shrek Academy's entrance exam back then."
Shen Ce took a deep breath. When he looked back at Xu Zihuang, the frustration in his eyes had been replaced by acceptance.
"Shrek Academy truly is a force we cannot contend with. But now, I want to know just how wide the gap between us really is."
As he spoke, the fifth purple soul ring on his Thousand Strike Spear suddenly flared. Brilliant silver flames spilled from the inscribed weapon.
Xu Zihuang's response was simple. He extended his right hand.
A long spear of dark red crystal, identical to Shen Ce's Thousand Strike Spear, condensed in his palm.
Immediately, his deep ten-thousand-year fourth soul ring lit up.
Brilliant golden flames flickered at the spear's tip. Xu Zihuang mirrored Shen Ce's throwing stance.
Shen Ce's pupils contracted. But at this critical moment, he had no choice. With a roar, he hurled his spear at Xu Zihuang.
At the same instant, the dark red crystal spear shot from Xu Zihuang's hand.
In the blink of an eye, the blazing golden flames of the crystal spear's tip collided with the silver flames of the Thousand Strike Spear. Waves rippled outward like water, the gold and silver perfectly divided.
Boom!
A violent explosion rang out, the sharpness emanating from the two spears seeming to tear space itself apart.
The clash of soul power caused cracks to spread through the dark red crystals encasing Qianling Academy's remaining five members.
The referee quickly waved his right hand, using his vast soul power to send the five of them out of the arena.
And then—the golden radiance overwhelmed the silver.
Xu Zihuang's dark red crystal spear smashed aside Shen Ce's Thousand Strike Spear and, without losing momentum, streaked past Shen Ce's cheek, slamming heavily into the soul tool barrier. Ripples spread outward across the barrier.
For several seconds the spear's momentum surged before finally dissipating. Under Xu Zihuang's control, it shattered into countless fragments.
The fragments scattered like drifting snow, silent as though singing an unspoken hymn.
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PD: New novel Douluo Peerless: Living as an Evil Soul Master with 80 chapters available to read on Webnovel, in case you're interested."
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Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are 40 early chapters available on Patreo
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